Vick signs biggest rookie contract

He signs six-year deal that guarantees $15.3 million over first three years

PAUL NEWBERRYAssociated Press

Published Thursday, May 10, 2001

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- When the Atlanta Falcons traded for Michael Vick, they made it clear that his hefty contract demands would not be a problem.

On Wednesday, just 2 1/2 weeks after taking Vick with the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, the Falcons signed him to the richest rookie contract in league history.

Vick received a $62 million, six-year deal that guarantees $15.3 million through the first three years, including a signing bonus of $3 million.

''There's been a lot of hard work,'' Vick said. ''It all paid off in the end.''

The negotiations with Vick were a mere formality after the Falcons worked out a trade with San Diego for the No. 1 pick on the eve of the draft.

Vick's agents had already discussed their terms with the Chargers, who weren't willing to meet the price. The Falcons were.

''It's important for a young man to have his contract out of the way so he can focus on football,'' coach Dan Reeves said. ''We could have gotten it done a lot quicker if not for the paperwork.''

Chris Chandler, the starting quarterback since 1997, helped out by agreeing to restructure his contract to fit Vick's deal under the salary cap.

The Falcons added another year to Chandler's contract, taking it through 2004, while clearing $2.7 million in cap room for this season.

General manager Harold Richardson said the Falcons never considered releasing Chandler.

Vick will count $2.5 million against the Falcons' cap this season. The team will probably have about $400,000 left to spend after signing their remaining rookies, Richardson said.

The Falcons want to get Vick into the lineup as soon as possible, but they will have to temper their enthusiasm. Chandler, a two-time Pro Bowler, remains the No. 1 quarterback for now.

''Chris is a great quarterback,'' Reeves said. ''If we give Chris the support he needs, maybe he won't have to listen to the fans yelling, ''We want Mike! We want Mike!'''

Chandler faced a similar predicament with the Oilers, starting for two years after the team -- now known as the Tennessee Titans -- drafted Steve McNair.

''Chris has got to have tough skin, and he does because he's been through this situation before,'' Reeves said. ''I've got to have tough skin, too.''

Vick must learn Atlanta's offensive system and get more adept at reading pro defenses, which are much more complicated than anything he faced in two years at Virginia Tech.

''If anyone thinks he's going to come in here and every day will be sunshine and roses, well, that's just not life,'' Reeves said. ''With the talent he has, I think he will come along quicker than people think. But he's got an awful lot to learn.''

Vick still had the pen used to sign the contract in the front pocket of his jacket.

''That's a souvenir I'm going to keep forever,'' he said, grinning.

The Falcons, who have a 9-23 record since an improbable run to the 1999 Super Bowl, gave up three draft picks and receiver-returner Tim Dwight to get the 20-year-old Vick.

At a rookie mini-camp last weekend, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.36 seconds, the fastest time among the 19 draft picks and college free agents at the mandatory camp. He later sat out some drills with an upset stomach, which he attributed to overeating at lunch.

At 6-foot-1, Vick is slightly shorter than the optimum height pro scouts look for in a quarterback. But his quickness and agility made him one of the best players in college football the last two seasons.

As a redshirt freshman, Vick led Division I-A in passing efficiency and finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting. In one of his best performances, he passed for 225 yards and ran for 97 more against Florida State in the 2000 championship game, which the Hokies lost 46-29.

As a sophomore, Vick was plagued by a severely sprained right ankle. But he finished his career with a solid performance in a 41-20 victory over Clemson in the Gator Bowl.

''I want to do everything in my power to be the best I can be,'' he said. ''When I do that, I'll be able to take my game to another level.''